Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/18/1999 12:53:27 PM Eastern Standard Time,

gmsmith@... writes:

> I AM WRITING TO ASK YOU WHAT IS MIXED- CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE.

I just created a new website which answers this question. It also has a lot

of links to more information and journal articles.

I just added 15 new links last night

http://hometown.aol.com//lindartc/index.htm

[Guest guest]

The web site has just created is excellent, do check it out!

Thanks <warm hug> I'm sure it takes hours of work to create!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!! <smile>

I'll think of you whilst basking in the sunshine sipping my champagne to

stay cool<naughty grin> Oops did I say champagne................go wash your

mouth out with soap lisbeth.........oh pretty please, a little champagne

should be added to the diet list for Christmas, shouldn't it? :-))

special Christmas hugs,

lisbeth

>I just created a new website which answers this question. It also has a lot

>of links to more information and journal articles.

>I just added 15 new links last night

>http://hometown.aol.com//lindartc/index.htm

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear , , Patsy, and Everyone:

Hi everyone. I am sorry I haven't written sooner. I haven't been on the

computer too much for the past few days. I had some puter problems. I have

been trying to get things straightened out. Since I upgraded to AOL 6.0

version I have been having trouble.

I just wanted to let everyone know that my s-i-l got her reports back from

the Doctor. He has decided she has Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. She

also saw a Rheumatologist today and he agreed with the other Doctor that,

that is what she has. However, the Rheumie is doing more tests. He did a

lot of blood work, so I guess he is making sure.

She and I feel better about the diagnosis, however, we are not sure if this

is better than Scleroderma. At least it is better than some other things. I

have been trying to find out as much info as I can. Some of you, I am sure,

must have this. Can I please get some info about it from some of you?

do you say you definitely have Scleroderma or was it a

mixture like this diagnosis my sil was given. I can't remember exactly what

you wrote. Does Mixed Connective Tissue Disease mean that a person also has

Scleroderma?

Please can anyone tell me anything, there is not much written about it in the

health books that I have. I appreciate any help anyone can give. Thank you

so much.

Sincerely, J.Colletti

Anjillah@...

[Guest guest]

Dear and everyone:

I almost forgot to tell you this. My s-i-l June told me to tell you ,

and all the others, thank you, for all your help. She appreciates all that

you have all done. Also, she is supposed to start on some prednisone when

blood work comes back that the Rheumie took. I hope she can get off the

oxygen then.

Both Doctors gave her the diagnosis of MCTD. I don't know exactly what they

based it on. She has had a lot of blood work, I don't know which ones. She

also has had a cat scan or an MRI. I am not sure which one. I thought it

was an MRI. I have to ask her again.

Have a good day.

Sincerely, J.Colletti

Anjillah@...

[Guest guest]

Sorry you have been having trouble with your AOL upgrade, . I know how

frustrating software problems like that can be. Don't ever worry about

getting back to us quickly. We understand that you could have many, many

reasons for not being able to post.

Which doctor decided your sister-in-law has Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

(MCTD)? On what did he base the diagnosis? I'm glad your SIL is also

consulting a rheumatolgist and having more tests. It's very important for

your SIL to have the correct diagnosis so that she can get the proper

treatment.

MCTD is a connective tissue disease overlap syndrome where you have

symptoms of rheumatic diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, RA, polymyositis

or dermatomyositis, but not enough features of any single one disease to get

the individual diagnosis.

As with all of these diseases, the effects of MCTD can be mild in some cases

and much more serious in others. The prognosis is much better with proper

treatment.

No, I don't have a scleroderma diagnosis, , but it has not been ruled

out for me yet. I do believe I have Raynaud's. I also have some odd skin

changes. I've had trouble swallowing and a few episodes of heartburn. Also,

in college I was a chemistry major for over three years and was exposed to

some very bad chemicals that have been identified as possible risk factors

in scleroderma. Basically, when a person has Raynaud's, scleroderma and

lupus must be considered, and because I have a few other possible signs, it

hasn't been ruled out. Raynaud's can also be present with other rheumatic

diseases such as MCTD, UCTD, or RA. It is possible I have MCTD or

Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD).

Here are some links that should help:

On MCTD and its diagnosis (the anti-U1RNP, anti-nRNP, and anti-70K

antibodies are found in MCTD - was June tested for any of these?):

http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section5/chapter50/50o.htm

http://www.muhealth.org/~arthritis/whatsnew/mctd.html

http://arthritis.about.com/health/arthritis/cs/mctd/

http://hometown.aol.com/lindartc/

http://www.silcom.com/~sblc/mctd.html

On lung disease:

http://www.pphcure.org/journals/issues/0007.htm

http://alice.ucdavis.edu/IMD/420C/syllabus/ILD.htm

Hope this helps you and June. Please let me know what else you need.

----- Original Message -----

From: <ANJILLAH@...>

<Matsumura_Clan@...>; <aA@...>;

<RA-Supportegroups>

Sent: Friday, January 12, 2001 2:45 AM

Subject: [ ] Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

> Dear , , Patsy, and Everyone:

> Hi everyone. I am sorry I haven't written sooner. I haven't been on the

> computer too much for the past few days. I had some puter problems. I

have

> been trying to get things straightened out. Since I upgraded to AOL 6.0

> version I have been having trouble.

> I just wanted to let everyone know that my s-i-l got her reports back from

> the Doctor. He has decided she has Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. She

> also saw a Rheumatologist today and he agreed with the other Doctor that,

> that is what she has. However, the Rheumie is doing more tests. He did a

> lot of blood work, so I guess he is making sure.

> She and I feel better about the diagnosis, however, we are not sure if

this

> is better than Scleroderma. At least it is better than some other things.

I

> have been trying to find out as much info as I can. Some of you, I am

sure,

> must have this. Can I please get some info about it from some of you?

> do you say you definitely have Scleroderma or was it a

> mixture like this diagnosis my sil was given. I can't remember exactly

what

> you wrote. Does Mixed Connective Tissue Disease mean that a person also

has

> Scleroderma?

> Please can anyone tell me anything, there is not much written about it in

the

> health books that I have. I appreciate any help anyone can give. Thank

you

> so much.

> Sincerely, J.Colletti

[Guest guest]

Dear Patsy:

Thank you for responding to my letter. I appreciate any help I can get.

Everyone has been so wonderful. I am so thankful to have found this site and

to know other people who also have some of these illnesses. I used to feel

so alone. Since I started with this site I am a lot happier.

Thank you,

Sincerely, J.Colletti

Anjillah@...

[Guest guest]

Patrice,

We first suggest you read the article on www.rheumatic.org entitled Getting

Started in Antibiotic Therapy, and also read the book The New Arthritis

Breakthrough by Henry Scammell available at amazon.com.

When you have thoroughly educated yourself concerning this therapy, download

a copy of the FAQ, the protocol and some of the stories of people with MCTD

to present to your local family doctor in person, and tell him this is the

therapy you want to try. Should he/she be reluctant to do so, then try

another doctor.

If you will give us the name of the city you live in, we may be able to

supply you with the name of a doctor already using the therapy.

Ethel

rheumatic Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

> I have recently been diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

> and am very happy to have found this group. I don't know anyone with

> my problem, but I do know that I want to see a doctor willing to start

> me on an anti-biotic treatment. I have not been able to find a way to

> do that. Can anyone help me?

>

> Patrice

>

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> I was diagnosed with MCTD 3 1/2 hears ago. I started Raynauds in my 20's

> and was also told I have probably had this since then. I'm 53 now.

>

> I was already on tetracycline (doctors thought I had fibromyalga) so I

asked

> to go on Minocin (my rheumatologists doesn't quite believe in it).

>

> I have pulmonary fiborsis - lost 52% of lung function and have a damaged

> esphoguas.

>

> fingers/toes are hard and part of my legs since SD is prevailing disease.

>

> But, I'm holding on, still working full time.

>

> I take 4-16 g of C/day and I'm on good vitamins/minerals.

>

> tried Arava/predninsone - felt horrible but had already joined this group

> and went back to Minocin.

>

> since I live in So CA I've also gone to Dr. Franco.

>

> so, I'm sticking w/minocin.

>

>

> rheumatic Mixed Connective Tissue disease

>

>

> > I have been recently told that I have mixed connective tissue

> > disease. I was told by my doctor that I probably have had it all my

> > life. I was told about 7 years ago that I have raynauds in my

> > hands. I would like to find out if there is any special methods of

> > treatment that works.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

> >

> >